This is the “gun show loophole.” I collect antique military rifles that were built by private companies, and a private owner in Fort Kent has one I want. We arrange to meet at the Bangor Gun Show and complete the sale.

What part of the Constitution gives the federal government, rather than the state, the right to control the transfer of private property between two citizens of a state, within the borders of that state?

A “reasonable compromise” that is unconstitutional is unacceptable. This is the problem with the assault weapons ban – a commercially produced AK 47 clone has a flash hider, and a few other cosmetic features which render it illegal under the law. A Remington Model 8 semi-automatic hunting rifle, first made in 1905, will fire just as fast, is more powerful, and more accurate.

Yet the AK is banned, because it looks bad. If you limit the magazine capacity of the AK to five rounds, the maximum legal for hunting in Maine, its mediocre nature is obvious.

Flexible standards can be abused, and stretched to outlaw almost any legitimate weapon. I oppose the law because I do not trust the Democrats to administer it in a reasonable manner.

The gun issue scares the Democratic Party. It hurt them badly in 1994, and they want it off the table for this election. No way.

Bruce Abbott

Franklin